#fcc-pressure

#fcc-pressure

The suspension was the latest demonstration of how members of the Trump administration have been able to influence the operations of media companies without imposing new policies. In this case, a broadcaster that is pursuing a $6 billion merger, which must be approved by the Federal Communications Commission, put pressure on ABC before the network's parent company, Disney, announced its decision to suspend Mr. Kimmel's show.

One of the most highly publicized instances of this was Disney-owned ABC's pulling of Jimmy Kimmel Live , following pressure from the FCC, after the talk show ran a segment that said the Trump administration had latched onto the event in order to "score political points." In response, several public figures have spoken out in protest, including some actors who have prominently worked for Disney by appearing in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Some viewers accused Kimmel of erroneously suggesting that Kirk's alleged shooter was MAGA, which Brendan Carr, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, called "some of the sickest conduct possible." Hours before the suspension was announced, Carr raised the idea of punishing local television stations that continued to air Kimmel's show. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way," he said.

It's worth noting that both Sinclair and Nexstar are known for their conservative political leanings. The uproar stems from comments Kimmel made during his monologues earlier in the week. "We had some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and with everything they can to score political points from it," Kimmel said during Monday's monologue.